If you are planning to renovate the outside of your home, one of the best techniques for exterior walls is using wet dash render. This particular choice is excellent for the weather in Ireland, where we receive heavy rainfall throughout the year.
Wet dash render is practical, durable, and requires little to no maintenance, making it the best choice for exterior renovations.
What is wet dash render, how to mix and apply it, and when to call an expert – read in our blog post.
What Is Wet Dash?
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Wet dash render is a traditional method, most commonly used in the UK and Ireland, for renovating exterior walls. The process involves a mix of cement, sand, lime, and gravel, that is applied on a prepared surface. This is done while the mixture is still wet, hence the name wet dash. Dry dash, on the other hand, is done with a dry mixture.
This specific method of coating exterior walls has some unique benefits and challenges. It’s a good DIY project for your next renovation, but you can also enlist the help of a professional.
When It Should Be Used
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Wet dash render is most commonly used on house exteriors in geographical areas with harsh weather. It’s really common in the United Kingdom and Ireland, but also in coastal or mountain areas. The reason for this is that it’s really durable.
The specific mixture of wet dash is a popular choice for protection from wind, rain, frost, and salty air. It’s a preferred method for exterior walls in exposed locations.
The technique is also common if you’re renovating an old and historic home. You can find this type of exterior finish on cottages, farmhouses and older buildings, because of the traditional aesthetic.
Depending on the area you live in, your local authorities may prefer or require this type of traditional finish. Make sure you check with your local authorities for any house renovation grants that cover wet dash render.
Benefits and Challenges
This type of exterior wall finish has big advantages, but also unique challenges for homeowners.
Benefits of wet dash rendering include:
- Perfect weather resistance – this method is highly durable in harsh, wet and coastal environments. It’s a strong protection against wind-driven rain.
- Low maintenance – wet dash does not require any frequent painting or upkeeping. It’s very resistant to cracks and peeling.
- Highly durable – this is a long-lasting exterior option that can remain intact for decades.
- Ideal for traditional homes, it suits older properties and houses best, especially for the restoration process.
- Cost-effective – because its highly durable, homeowners don’t need to re-apply, making this a very cost-effective solution in long-term.
As you can see, wet dash rendering offers wonderful benefits to all homeowners who decide to use this type of exterior finish. This comes at a price, however.
The challenges of wet dash render include:
- Very labour-intensive application – this exterior finish requires skill and experience to apply correctly. It is typically done by hand.
- increased costs – since this is more of a craftsman’s job, it can cost more money, especially if you’re renovating a bigger home.
- Very difficult to repair – matching the colour and texture of the mixture is almost impossible.
- It doesn’t suit modern homes – this exterior finish is not appropriate for modern buildings because of its rustic feel.
- Messy process – applying the wet dash is done with physical labour, and it can be really messy.
As you can see, to benefit from this process, you need to do a lot of physical labour, and there’s a lot that can go wrong. If you’re not up to the challenge, it’s best to hire a professional.
What Is the Correct Way to Mix Wet Dash
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One of the very first steps that can go wrong is mixing the wet dash. If you have decided to do this yourself, here are some tips and tricks on how to make the perfect wet dash mixture.
Wet dash is best mixed in two parts – base coat and dash coat.
For the base coat, you will need:
- Cement – 1 part
- Lime (optional) – 0.25–0.5 part (improves workability and breathability)
- Sand (sharp/construction sand) – 4–5 parts
- Water – enough to create a workable mix.
You should mix the ingredients until you get a stiff consistency. Add the water slowly, so you can make sure that the mix is not too watery.
For the dash coat, you will need:
- Cement – 1 part
- Lime (optional) – 0.25–0.5 part
- Sand – 2–3 parts
- Small clean pebbles/stones – 3–4 parts (6–10mm diameter is typical)
- Water – enough to form a sticky, cohesive mix.
Begin to combine the cement, lime, sand, and water in a mixer. Once blended, gradually add the pebbles. Mix until all ingredients are evenly coated and the consistency is sticky enough to hold to the wall when thrown.
Remember, the final mixture for the top coat has to be sticky, so you can apply it easily to the walls. A thicker consistency will make the mixture hard to work with, and a watery consistency will lead to dripping on the wall.
How to Apply Wet Dash Render
The application of wet dash render can be a really tough job. The first thing you have to do is to prepare the wall. Clean it thoroughly to remove any loose material, dust and paint. Afterwards, damp the wall with water to prevent it from drawing moisture out of the render.
For the application process of the base coat, you will need a trowel. Apply a thick 10-15 mm coat. Next, and this very important, score the surface horizontally to create a key for the next layer.
The base coat has to cure for 24-48 hours, but it’s crucial to apply the tip coat while it’s still damp for good bonding.
To apply the wet pebble dash, do the following:
- Throw the wet dash mix onto the base coat by hand or using a dashing scoop.
- Work in small sections from the top down.
- Ensure even coverage and press lightly if needed to make sure it sticks.
- Don’t overwork—leave the rough texture as is for authenticity.
Once the process is complete, you have to let the wall cure. You have to protect it from rapid drying, frost, or rain in the first few days, so ensure it settles evenly. Mist with water occasionally if conditions are too hot or windy.
Allow the wall to cure for at least 5 to 7 days.
Commonly Used Colours
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Wet dashing can lead to a wonderful rustic finish on your exterior walls. There are different coloured options to choose from.
The colour and the attractive finish are influenced by the cement type, the colour of the sand and stone, the lime content, and whether it’s painted. You can add pigments to the mix, or you can paint the wet dash after.
The most commonly used colours are true to the rustic feeling of the wet dash finish, such as:
- Natural grey – the colour of the stones and cement.
- White or off-white – a cleaner and brighter look, often done with lime, white cement and pale stones.
- Cream – it’s created with pale sand, cream-toned stone, or painted afterwards.
- Sandstone has an earthy tone that blends well with countryside settings.
- Pale yellow – achieved by painting or using yellow-tinted ingredients.
If you decide to paint over the wet dash, make sure you pick earthy and natural tones. They work best with the rough finish of the external walls and the rustic appearance, and are more durable in the long run.
How Much Wet Dashing Do You Need for Your Project?
The amount of wet dash you will need for your home depends on the surface you want to coat and the thickness of application.
Make sure you thoroughly do the math on how many square metres of wall are you coating. Add between 10 and 15% extra to account for spillage, wastage, and surface unevenness.
On average, you will need around 25-30 kg of wet dash material per square metre of wall. This includes the base coat and the dash coat.
When to Hire an Expert
Wet dashing is a time-consuming and physically exhaustive process. There is a lot that can go wrong – from creating the mix to applying it on the exterior walls of your home.
If you consider wet dash render for your home renovation, contact a professional. That way, you will make sure that the materials are used in the correct way and the application process is done as it should be. Otherwise, you may need to fix your external walls again over time.
Using the help of a professional can lead to better overall results and a cost-effective renovation in the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a wet dash render?
A wet dash render is a method of external wall coating with cement, sand, and pebbles. The resulting look is coarse and really durable, especially in harsh weather conditions.
What colours work best with wet dash?
The best colours for this process are earthy and more natural tones. This way, you will achieve a better rustic aesthetic.
When is wet dash suitable?
Wet dash render is suitable for historic and old homes, cottages, and places with harsh weather conditions.
